HAITI - Besides maintenance of law and order by providing security to Haitians, Rwanda National Police peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), have similarly been involved in post conflict reconstruction.

As part of the initiative, Rwandan police officers deployed in the Haitian town of Jeremie initiated a community work exercise akin to the Umuganda.

This exercise enthralled Haitians who turned up in big numbers to participate alongside the Rwandans in cleaning up their city.

"It is the first time we have seen peacekeepers help clean our city. We thought their work is only to provide security,” a resident of Jeremie town said.

The Contingent Commander of the peacekeepers, Chief Supt Egide Ruzigamanzi, said that community work overture is to encourage Haitians to participate in rebuilding their nation.

"We do not only provide security but introduce to Haiti, good policies that have made our country a model in the world,” Ruzigamanzi added.

Currently, Rwanda National Police has 374 peacekeeping officers serving in UN missions in Liberia, Sudan, Chad and Haiti.

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